End of Season Awards & CX
On Friday, Rossendale Road Club held their annual AGM and Trophy presentation evening at Marl Pits Sports Club, with awards being presented by the valley’s cycling legend John Leach. And there was plenty to cheer about for Lady members. Voted by club members for the person making the biggest contribution to the club during the year, Linda Felton was awarded the David Cross shield for all the background work she has done in organising events and promoting the club. And Helen Thomas was leading lady and second overall in the Category for standard road bikes in the Harry Law series of 10 mile time trials.
And to show the club is not just about time trials, 2 new trophies were awarded for 2022 – Graham Wright taking the best overall performance in the North West cyclo-cross league, and Mark Berry taking the Road Race trophy.
To further broaden interest, the club will be hosting mountain bike events in 2023, and would be especially keen to hear of any ladies who may wish to form an ‘off road’ group.
In competition at the weekend, the final round of the 2022/23 North West CX series was at Bruntwood Park, Cheadle, with several placings still up for grabs.
Joey Holt was first up for Rossendale in the U10 boy’s event and his 14th place will hopefully give him some confidence for the future.. In the Men’s V50 race Phil Simcock continued to have his best ever season with another podium spot in 3rd place. Richie Watts returned to racing after a lay-off but unfortunately retired with a puncture on his 3rd lap.
Derek Schofield made his best start of the year in the V60 event, lying 4th going into the first series of tight corners, but faded later in the race to eventually finish 7th. Adrian Watts improved to 13th spot at the chequered flag, although this return to form is at the wrong end of the season. Phil Warner could only take 2nd V70 spot, but has already got the league victory sewn up, with local fell runner Peter Browning in 20th.
In the Senior Ladies event, Ramsbottom’s Jacqui Simcock was 18th overall and 2nd V50, giving her an excellent chance of the overall league title.
After his best ever top ten finish of last week, Matt Toman looked a little out of touch on the tight Bruntwood course, and had a couple of poor laps which dropped him to 27th at the finish, while Ashley Holt just missed out on another top 20 finish in the Men’s V40 race in 22nd.
The final league positions were not available before going to Press.
Photos
Mark Berry with the Road racing cup
Graham Wright, 2nd V70 overall in the North West CX series
Helen Thomas leading lady in the Harry Law TT series
Linda Felton, Club Member of the Year
